The Festival of St. Philip and St. James, Apostles
Posted on May 1, 2026 by under
Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22 (NKJV)
2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Devotion
The word “cornerstone” in today’s text can mean two different things. First, it could mean the actual “stone in the corner.” The cornerstone was the first stone laid on top of the foundation and gave every other stone direction and location. That makes it a very special stone, because it not only gives alignment, but joins two walls together and is therefore vital to the structure’s stability.
Another way the Greek can be translated is “capstone”. The capstone is the top piece in a structure that ties the various elements together. The simplest example is that of an arch. As a boy growing up in St. Louis, I saw the Gateway Arch under construction. It was built from both sides at the same time. Then finally, the capstone was lowered into place and the ‘Gateway to the West’ became a full arch. It wasn’t complete, it wasn’t strong, until the tiniest component was in place: the capstone.
Either picture, whether it be a corner or a cap, gives an accurate description of what Jesus does for His Church. The piece that looks small and insignificant is the most important one of them all. The Church is not complete, nor is it even begun, without Jesus Christ. He supports and directs His Church, and also binds it all together.
Collect: O Almighty God, Whom to know is everlasting life: Grant us perfectly to know Thy Son Jesus Christ to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life; that following His steps we may steadfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Jubilate Sunday
Almighty God, Who showest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness: Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
